Old
Skool
Agége
Bread
A(gE)2Br
I had a dream.... that Nigerians in diaspora and all interested nationalities, would someday be liberated from the airy, crumbly, light-weight bread choices that we have always been restricted to. I am definitely not trying to denigrate these other bread types, which are as perfect as can be for those bred on those kinds of bread; Just like it is with most other food products, it's all about culture. There's French bread, Russian bread, Italian bread, German bread and so many others. But then, there is Agege bread.
To those who are hearing about Agege bread for the very first time, this is a bread type named after a city called Agege in Lagos State, Nigeria. As with most historical baking methods, they were originally baked in earthen ovens heated with firewood. Baking methods have however been modernized over the years. The distinguishing characteristic of Agege bread is its unique texture: It is dense, stretchy, chewy and of course, tastes great!
I love bread, especially Agege bread. I actually experienced withdrawal symptoms from not 'consuming' my daily dose of Agege bread as I used to back in Lagos, after my first three months in the United States. I found some consolation in a 'look and taste-alike' bread I found in one of the popular African stores in the Washington DC metro Area. Thank you ---- bread!
On the flipside however, another purchase of a different brand I had bought when I couldn't find 'my usual' about two years ago was a far cry from the taste and texture of Agege bread. That was when I decided to embark on a research that has spanned two and a half years, and has taken me back to my roots in Dopemu-Agege, Lagos. The result? Old Skool Agege Breadtm.
Old Skool Agege Breadtm is Agege bread baked the way it's originally meant to be - the only difference being the extremely clean production process and environment, compared to the unhygienic conditions under which many local bakeries back home run. It is succulent, it is doughy, it is delicious. I have also taken it a step further for health freaks like myself, by creating a wheat meal version of Agege bread. Both are made from all-natural ingredients and contain no preservatives, potassium bromate, artificial coloring or artificial flavors. This is first generation Agege bread, made from first principles - so very good, that it deserves to have it's own chemical nomenclature. Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike, I proudly present to you, a dream come true..
